Three Paqueta replacements West Ham should target this summer to fill creativity void | OneFootball

With eight games to go, West Ham United look increasingly capable of escaping the relegation battle and securing their stay in the Premier League for another season.

The Hammers have found a new gear in recent weeks, and with their rivals struggling, all signs point to a last-minute escape.

However, they cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past.

West Ham will need to attack the transfer market for quality, as there are several holes in the squad to plug, most especially in the creativity department.

Lucas Paqueta left West Ham to return to Brazil in January, leaving the East London outfit scrambling for a replacement.

Winter signing Pablo Felipe has not moved the needle, meaning West Ham might need to reenter the market for a creative but hardworking player to bolster the engine room.

Read on as we analyse three potential Paqueta replacements who can be transformative for West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen)

The Hammers need someone with impeccable vision. Look no further than Austrian playmaker Romano Schmid, who has been consistently sensational for Werder Bremen.

Interestingly, the Irons have been linked with Schmid before, but now is the perfect time for the club to pounce.

This term, the 26-year-old has bagged twice and created 16 big chances in 26 Bundesliga appearances.

He plays 2.7 key passes per game and holds his own defensively.

Schmid is unflashy, but his ability to unlock defences is second to none.

After a slight dip last season following an excellent 2023/24 campaign, he has bounced back, playing a key role in Bremen’s bid to avoid relegation.

West Ham need a functional playmaker like Schmid to create chances for Valentin Castellanos, Jarrod Bowen, and Crysencio Summerville. He fits the bill.

With his contract expiring in 2027, West Ham can snap up the 31-cap Austrian international for a decent sum.

Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid)

Another exciting playmaker who should be on West Ham’s radar is Thiago Almada, who is finding life difficult at Atletico Madrid under the notoriously rigid Diego Simeone.

Born in Ciudadela, hometown of Carlos Tevez, Almada broke out at Velez Sarsfield before a shock move to Atalanta United and an even more surprising transfer to Botafogo.

From there, he joined Lyon before earning a big move to the Spanish capital. While it has not worked out for him in Spain, he can be a game-changer for West Ham in England.

Almada is a stylish, yet tenacious, diminutive midfielder who can run a game for 90 minutes.

His probing passes, driving capacity, and ability to evade the press will excite West Ham fans.

A midfield triumvirate of Almada, Mateus Fernandes, and a quality new anchor at the base can rival several top-half Premier League sides.

West Ham can take him on loan and agree to a purchase clause at the end of the season. His quality can take West Ham to the next level.

Harvey Elliott (Liverpool)

Harvey Elliott is another intriguing option for West Ham. He is a low-risk, high-upside solution to their creative void.

The Hammers had shown interest in his services, but he turned them down.

He has since endured a torrid spell on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool, failing to nail down a consistent role. However, that dip should not overshadow his immense talent.

Elliott showed exactly what he is capable of during the 2023/24 campaign, registering four goals and 14 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions.

His ability to operate between the lines, thread incisive passes, and dictate tempo makes him a natural fit for a side crying out for invention.

At West Ham, he can freely orchestrate attacks, something he has lacked in recent months.

More importantly, the Hammers can offer him a platform to rebuild confidence and rediscover rhythm.

Still only 22, Elliott has time firmly on his side. A move to East London might be the reset he needs, and the spark West Ham are searching for.